Rotational presidency not Nigeria’s solution – Jega blows hot

Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Attahiru Jega says rotational presidency “cannot take us out of the challenges we have”.

The highly revered former INEC chairman said ahead of the 2023 elections, the onus is on Nigerians to “interrogate the capacity of that person to lead this country”.

Jega made the comment during an Arise TV programme on Monday.

“The way Nigeria is now, we need the best person with competence, capacity, experience to be the president to get this country out of the challenges we have presently,” the former INEC chairman said.

“That person can come from the north, south, east or the west, but the important thing is that even if political parties decide that a candidate should come from a particular area, what we need to do is that Nigerians must interrogate the capacity of that person to lead this country appropriately.

“This idea of rotational presidency cannot take us out of the challenges we have in this country, presently.”

On August 6, Ibrahim Babangida, former head of state, had set an age limit on who he believes Nigeria’s next president should be. Babangida said he had noticed some “good Nigerian leaders” who are in their sixties.

However, Jega disagreed with the former military ruler on his submission, adding that “age may not matter” in determining who the country’s next president should be.

Jega is the only INEC chairman to oversee two Nigerian General Elections (2011 and 2015). Jega retired on 30 June 2015, handing over his position to Amina Zakari according to a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari.